Process for the preparation of 12alpha-alkyl steroids



United States N Patent This invention is concerned generally with novel steroid compounds and with processes of preparing the same, more particularly, it relates to 12a-alkyl-ll-oxygenated steroids of the pregnane series unsaturated in ring A. It relates also to novel processes for producing lZ z-aIkyI steroids.

The new products of our invention may be represented by the structural formula wherein R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl, Y is hydrogen or halogen and Z is hydroxy or keto. The broken line between carbon atoms 1 and 2 indicate that adouble bond may be represented in this position.

The 12a-alkyl-steroids produced in accordance with the present invention possess anti-inflammatory activity, and are eflective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases since they can be administered for their cortisome-like action and minimize undesired side efle'cts.

In preparing our novel chemical compounds, the starting material utilized is 11,8,l2,3-epoxy-3,20-bis[ethylenedioxy] -pregnane which may 'be identified by the following structural formula- The 1 15,12B-epoxy-3 ,20-bis- [ethylenedioxy] -pregnfane used as a starting material for the present invention is prepared by hydrolyzing 3a-21CY10XY-120c-h3l0-11,20- pregnanedi-one to form 12a-halo-3u-hydroxy-11,20-pregnanedione. The latter compound is then reacted with an oxidizing agent to form l2a-ha1o-3,l1,20-pregnanetrione, and reacting the latter compound with ethylene glycol in the presence of an acid catalyst results in the formation of 12a-halo-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy] -1 l-pregnanone. This latter compound is then reacted with lithium borohydride to form l2ot-halo-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-1lfi-hydroxypregnane and reacting the latter compound with base yields the 115,12fi-epoxy-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-pregnane starting material.

It has been found that our starting material 115,125- epoxy-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-pregnane may be caused to react with dialkylmagnesium to form l2a-alkyl 3,2(l-

acid in methyl alcohol results 3,088,945 Patented May 1 963 2 bis-[ethylenedioxyJ-llfi-hydroxypregnane which may be represented as follows:

wherein R is as above.

Alternatively, 1 119, 12B-epoxy-3,20bis- [ethylenedioxy] pregnane can be reacted with alkyl magnesium halide to form l2u-alkyl-3,20-bis- [ethylenedioxy] -l lp-hydroxypregnane in low yields :since the major product formed is wherein R is alkyl.

Hydrolysis 'of the 12a alkyl-3,-20-bis- [ethylenedioxy1- llfl-hydroxypregnane with an acid such as dilute sulfuric inthe formation of 12aalkyl-11fi-hydroxy-3,20-pregnanedione which is represented as follows:

wherein R is alkyl.

The l2a-alkyl-llp-hydroxy-B,ZO-pregnanedibhe, prepared by either the reaction with an alkyl magnesium halide or preferably with a dialkyl magnesium, is reacted wherein R is alkyl, and X is "halogen.

Dehydrohalogenation of the above compound with a reagent such as collidine or lithium chloride in dimethylformamide results in the formation of 12a-alkyl-11fi-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione which may be indicated as wherein R is alkyl.

The 21-glyoxylate ester is prepared by reacting 120calkyl-l1fl-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione with a dialkyl oxalate to form alkyl 12u-alky1-11fi,2l-dihydroxy-4-preg- -nene-3,20-dione 21-glyoxylate which has the following structural formulawherein R is alkyl and may be the same or different alkyl groups.

Reacting the alkyl 12a-alkyl-l1,8,21-dihydroxy-4-preg nene-3,20-dione ZI-glyoxylate with a halogen results in the formation of alkyl l2a-alkyl-21,21-diohalo-llfl-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20 -dione 21-glyoxylate which may be indicated as follows: 7

wherein X is a halogen and R may be the same or different alkyl groups.

The latter compound, namely, alkyl 12a-alky1-21,21- dihalo-llfi-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione ZI-gIyoXyIa-te, is reacted with sodium methoxide and then with a diazoalkane compound to form alkyl 12oz-a1kyl-11;8-hydroxy- 3-oxo-4,17'(20) -pregnadien-21-oate which has the follow- 6 ing structural formulawherein R may be the same or different alkyl groups.

Reaction of the alkyl 12u-a1kyl-11B-hydroxy-3-oxo-4J7 (20)-pregnadien 21-oate with ethylene glycol results in the formation of alkyl l2a-alkyl-3-ethylenedioxy-11 3- hydroxy-S,17(20)-pregnadien-2l-oate which may be represented as follows:

wherein R may be the same or different alkyl groups.

The alkyl 12a-alkyl-3-ethy1enedioxy-l1fi-hydroxy-5,17 (20)-pregnadien 21-oate can be reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to form 12a-alkyl-3-ethylenedioxy- 115,21-dihydroxy-5,17(20)-pregnadiene which has the formula- CHZOH wherein R is alkyl.

To remove the ethylenedioxy group in the 3-posi-tion, 12a-alkyl-3-ethylenedioxy-115,21 dihydroxy 5,17(20)- -pregnadiene is reacted with acid in a methanolic medium or in acetone to form l2a-a1kyl-11fl,21-dihydroXy-4,17 (20)-pregnadien-3-one which may he represented as follows:

CHzOH wherein R is alkyl.

The above 12a-alkyl-l1,9,21-dihydroxy-4,l7(20)-pregnadien-3-one can be converted to the corresponding 21- acylate derivative by reaction with an acyl anhydride in the presence of a tertiary amine to form 12m-alkyl-1l[3,21- dihydroXy-4,17(20)-pregnadien-3-one 21-acylate which 0 has the formula- CHzOR wherein R is alkyl and R is hydrogen or acyl.

Reaction of 12a-a1kyl-113,21-dihydroxy-4,17(20)-pregnadien-B-one 21-acylate with osmium tetroxide and hydrogen peroxide results in the formation of 12a-alky1-l1p,

17a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acylate which may be represented as follows:

wherein R is alkyl.

This latter compound, namely, l2a-alkyl-1 113,17a, 21

'trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20dione ZI-acylate may also be named lZa-alkyl hydrocor-tisone acylate and vpossesses marked and eflective anti-inflammatory activity.

The above 12a-alky1-llfl,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione 2l-acylate can be dehydrated with methane sulfonyl chloride in pyridine or dimethylformamide to 3,20-dione 2-l-acylate which may be represented by the following structural formula- CHnOR wherein R is alkyl and R is hydrogen or acyl.

Treatment of the IZa-alkyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-4,9'(l1)- pregnadiene-3,20-di0ne 21-acy1ate with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of an acid catalyst results in the formation of 12a-alky1-9a halo-17a,2 1-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione Zl-acylate which has the following structural formula ---OH no i 1 wherein R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl and X is chloro or bromo.

The 12a-alkyl 9a-halo-l7a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione ZI-acylate is then reacted with sodium methoXide to form 12u-alkyl-9B,l1B-epoxy-l7m,2l-dihydroxy- 12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione and reaction of the latter compound with an acyl anhydride in the presence of pyridine results in the formation of 12a-alky1-95,11B- epoxy-17a;1-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l acylate which may be represented as follows:

wherein R -is alkyl and R is hydrogen or acyl.

6 Reaction of,-the 'l'2a-alkyl-9flgll/3-epoxy-17ot,-21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20dione Zl-acylate with a hydrogen halide results in the formation of IZa-alkYl-9oc-hal0-1lfl, 17a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acylate which has the following structural formulawherein R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl and Y is hydrogen or halogen.

Compounds discussed lowing formula:

hereinbefore and having the fol- CHaO R wherein R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl, Y is hydrogen .or halogen and the broken line between positions 1 and 2 indicates that a double bond may be present in this position can be oxidized with chromium trioxide in the presence of pyridine to convert the 11 fl-hydroxy group to a 'keto group and the oxidation product can be represented by the following formula:

CHzOR' wherein R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl and Y is hydrogen or halogen.

Compounds of the following structure:

omoxc i rt :0

OHzOH In addition, it has been found that where a 9a-fluoro 21-acyla-te or a 9a-hydrogen 2l-acylate is hydrolyzed to the alcohol, sodium methoxide may be employed.

In all of the previously described reactions R has been designated as alkyl, and is intended to include the lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl and propyl. R has been indicated as hydrogen or acyl and the acyl groups that may be employed in these reactions include lower bydrocarbon carbonyl esters such as benzoate, lower alkanoates such as acetate, and propionate, Y is hydrogen or halogen and halogen is intended to include bromo, chloro, iodo and fluoro. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that other groups may be substituted for those recited here and these definitions are intended only as some indication of the operable class of compounds intended.

The following experimental part illustrates in detail some of the compounds which constitute this invention and methods for their production. However, this invention is not to be construed as limited thereby in spirit or in scope since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications in materials and methods may be made without departing from the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 3,20-bias[ethylenedi0xy]-11fi-Hydr0xy- IZa-Methy lpregnane To 1.00 g. of l1p,12,B-epoxy-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]- pregnane (prepared as described hereinafter) was added 20.0 ml. of a dioxane solution of dimethylmagnesium (19.07 mini-equivalents). All apparatus had been previously flame-dried under a stream of dry nitrogen. The solution was refluxed for sixteen hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. At the end of this time, a saturated solution of ammonium chloride was added until the gaseous evolution ceased upon addition of further amounts of the solution. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted three times with chloroform. The combined organic layers were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate overnight, filtered and concentrated to an oil in vacuo on the hot water bath. The oil thus obtained contained 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-l1,6 hydroxy-l2a-methylpregnane.

The 115,125 epoxy 3,20 bis [ethylenedioxy]- pregnane used as a starting material in this example is prepared starting with the known 3a-acetoxy-l2a-bromo- 8 11,20-pregnanedione in accordance with the following procedure:

A mixture of 50 g. of 3a-acetoxy-l2a-bromo-l1,20- pregnanedione, 5.18 liters of methanol and 51.8 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid was stirred for '20 hours at about 20 C. The reaction was quenched by adding a solution of 27.6 g. of sodium bicarbonate in 690 ml. of water with stirring. The product, l2e-bromo-3a-hydroxy-11,20-pregnanedione, was isolated by removing the methanol in vacuo, adding 1 liter of water and filtering; M.P. 157-159 C.

To a solution of 39.78 g. of 12a-bromo-3a-hydroxy- 11,20-pregnanedione in 971 ml. of methanol was added 9.71 ml. of dry pyridine. The flask was covered with a black cloth and continuously stirred at about 20 C. A solution of 75.7 g. of N-bromoacetamide in 971 ml. of methanol was added and the mixture was stirred for 20 hours. Twenty milliliters of allyl alcohol were added, followed by 3 liters of water. The product, IZa-bIOmO- 3,11,20-pregnanetrione which crystallized on standing was filtered off; M.P. 189-191 C.

A solution of 39.98 g. of 12a-bromo-3,1LZO pregnanetrione, 1,075 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate, 24.6 ml. of freshly distilled ethylene glycol and 924 ml. of benzene, that had been previously dried over sodium, was slowly distilled through a Vigreux column for 5 hours, keeping the volume constant by adding dry benzene. The reaction mixture was extracted twice with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution and washed once with water. It was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate for about 16 hours, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The product, 12:: bromo 3,20 bis [ethylenedioxy]- ll-pregnanone was crystallized from acetone-methanol; M.P. 173-175 C.

A solution of 10 g. of 12a-bromo-3,20 bis-[ethylenedioxy]-ll-pregnanone in 300 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was cooled to 0 C. The system was purged with nitrogen.

A filtered solution of 8 g. of lithium borohydride in 600 ml. of tetrahydrofuran Was added over a period of 45 minutes with stirring. The solution was allowed to come to room temperature slowly and was stirred at room temperature for three hours. A solution of 22 ml. of glacial acetic acid in 116 ml. of water was added. The tetrahydrofuran was removed in vacuo and 200 ml. of water was added. The aqueous layer was extracted three times with chloroform and the combined organic extracts were Washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate and water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate overnight. It was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo: 12a-bromo-3,2'0-bis- [ethylenedioxy] -1 1 fl-hydroxypregnane was recovered.

To a solution of 19.5 g. of potassium hydroxide in 325 ml. of isopropanol, 6.51 g. of 12a-bromo-3,20-bis- [ethylenedioxy]-l lfl-hydroxypregnane were added and the system was purged with nitrogen. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at 55 C. and during this time a copious precipitate of potassium bromide formed. The reaction mixture was poured into the water, and was back-extracted three times with ether. The ether was back-extracted with Water and dried over anhydrous sodrum sulfate overnight. Filtered and concentrated in vacuo to a small volume; the resultant needles of 11/3, l2 8-epoxy-3,20-bis- [ethylenedioxy] -pregnane were filtered off; M.P. 128-130 C EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 11B-Hydroxy-12a-Methyl- 3,20-Pregnanedione To the oil containing 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-1113- hydroxy-12a-methylpregnane was added 270 ml. of methanol and 10.8 ml. of 8.5% sulfuric acid. The solution was refluxed for 1% hours under a nitrogen atmosphere and then cooled. Solid sodium bicarbonate was added until the solution was neutral. The solution was C, 76.26; H, 9.89. Found:

max.

EXAMPLE 3 Alternate Procedure for the Preparation of llfi-Hydroxy- 12a-Methyl-3,20-Pregnanedione The 11,8 hydroxy 12a methyl 3,20 pregnancdione could be obtained by the action of methylmagnesium iodide on 11fl,12B-epoxy-3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy1- pregnane. Fifteen grams of llfl,12B-epoxy-3,20-b-is- [ethylenedioxy] -pregnane (prepared as described in Example 1) was dissolved in 300 ml. of dry benzene and 216 m1. of a 2 molar solution of methylmagnesium 1odide in ether was added. The mixture was heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere for 3% hours, and the excess Grignard reagent was decomposed by the addition of a saturated ammonium chloride solution. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with chloroform. The combined organic layers were washed with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solution was filtered and concentrated to dryness in vacuo. 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxyJ-C-norpregnane-l l-[a-ethanol] (6.025 g.) was crystallized directly from ether. The mother liquors were chromatographed on 500 g. of alumina using 9:1 benzene-chloroform as the eluate. Fifty milliliter fractions were collected. From fractions 11-30, 3.36 grams of the same material was obtained by crystallization from ether-pet.

ether. The mother liquor of this crystallization weighed and was the source of 1lfl-hydroxy-12a-methyl- 3,20-pregnadione after acidic reversal of the dioxalane functionalities since any additional C-norpregnane compound was dehydrated under these conditions and was easily separated. To this end the above mother liquors were dissolved in 1.62 ml. of methanol and refluxed for 1% hours after adding 64.9 ml. of 8.5% sulfuric acid. Solid sodium bicarbonate Was added to neutralize the acid and the mixture filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the aqueous residue extracted three times with chloroform. The organic extracts were washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered, wt. 5.15 g. of oil. This oil crystallized from ether-pet. ether to give material melting at 239.5-24 C. and, its infra-red spectrum and melting point were identical with that of 1lfl=hydroxy-12a-methyl-3,2-0-pregnanedione described above.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 4-Br0m0-1 1 [3-Hydr0xy-1 Za-MethyZ- 3 ,ZO-Pregnanedione One hundred grams of 1LB-hydroxy-12a-methyl-3,20- pregnanedione in 2 liters of chloroform and 225 ml. of acetic acid was cooled to -50 C. and brominated with 40.6 g. of bromine in 227 ml. of acetic acid. After one hour, 40.25 g. of sodium acetate in 300 ml. of water was added, the reaction mixture concentrated to '600 ml. and 4 bromo 11B hydroxy 12a methyl 3,20- pregnanedione was collected by filtration after the addition of 1 liter of water.

10 EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 11B-Hydr0xy-12a-Methyl-4- Pregnene-3,20-Dione 4 bromo 115 hydroxy 12a methyl 3,20-pregnanedione was heated in 500 m1. of collidine at 170 C. for one hour. After cooling the mixture was diluted with 1 liter of benzene and washed successively with 1 liter of hydrochloric acid solution (50 parts concentrated hydrochloric to 50 parts water), and 1 liter of water to remove collidine. After concentration to dryness, the residue was chromatographed over 1 kg. of acid-washed alumina. Fractions possessing the requisite ultraviolet absorption peak at 240 ml were collected and crystallized from benzene-petroleum ether and were identified as 1lfi-hydroxy-l2a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 6 Alternative Procedure for the Preparation of 11 fl-Hydroxy-l 2 a-Methyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-Dione To a solution of 170mg. of 4-bromo-11B-hydroxy-l2amethyl-3,20-pregnanedione in 2.0 ml. of dimethylformamide was added 51 mg. of anhydrous lithium chloride. The mixture was heated at C. for '2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. One milliliter of water was added dropwise with stirring before cooling to'0" C. The

-hydroxy 12a methyl 4 pregnene 3,2-0- dione was filtered oif and dried; wt. 115 mg.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Ethyl 11(3,21-Dihydr0xy-12a-Methyl-4- Pregnene-3,20-Di0ne 21 -Glyoxylate 40 grams of 11fl-hydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20- dione was dissolved in 200 ml. of benzene and 14.6 g. of diethyl oxalate. After the addition of 5.6 g. of sodium methoxide, the mixture was stirred for two hours to form ethyl 115,21-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene- .3,20-dione 21-glyoxylate.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of Ethyl 21,21-Dibrom0-1 I-B-Hydroxy-J 2a- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-Dione 21-Glyoxylate EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Methyl-11,B-Hydroxy-I2a-Methyl-3 0xo- 4 ,1 7 (20 -Pregnadien-21-Oate The mixture obtained in Example 8 containing ethyl 21,21 dibromo 11B hydroxy 12a methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-glyoxylate was added to 500 ml. of 10% methanolic sodium methoxide solution and maintained at room temperature for about 16 hours. After concentration of the reaction mixture to dryness, the residue was refluxed with 500 ml. of 5 N rnethanolic sodium hydroxide, the reaction mixture was diluted with water and concentrated to flush out methanol. Acidification yielded 1 1fi-hydroxy-12a-methyl-3-oxo-4,'17 (20) -pregnadien-21-oic acid which was collected on filtration. After drying at room temperature, the 11fl-hydroxy-12amethyl-3-oxo-4,17(-20)-pregnadien-2'1-oic acid was treated with excess ethereal diazomethane. After esterification was complete, the ethereal solution was chromatographed over acid-washed alumina to give llfi-hydroxy-lZa- 'methyl-3-oxo-4,17(20) -pregnadien-2-1-oate.

10 grams of methyl 11B-hydroxy-12a-methyl-3-oxo- 4,17 (20)-pregnadien 21-oate was dissolved in 100 g. of ethylene glycol and 500 cc. of benzene, 0.25 g. of ptoluenesulfonic acid was added and the reaction mixture refluxed for 5 hours with a benzene-water separator. At the end of this period 10 g. of sodium bicarbonate was added and the mixture poured into 1 liter of water. The resultant methyl 3 ethylenedioxy 11 8 hydroxy 12ccmethyl-5,17(20)-pregnadien-21-oate was extracted into benzene, the benzene solution dried and concentrated to dryness.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of 3-Ethylenedioxy-11p,21-Dihydr0xy-12a- Methyl-5,17(20)-Pregnadiene The methyl 3-ethylenedioxy-11fl-hydroxy-12u-methyl- 5,17i(20)-pregnadien 21-oate was trea-ted with 200 ml. of 2 M lithium aluminum hydride in anhydrous ether and allowed to stand for '16 hours to eflect reduction of the carboxylic acid group. The mixture was diluted with water. The ether layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted in ethyl acetate. The organic layers were combined, washed in water, dried and the solvents were removed by distillation, leaving 3-ethylenedioxy- 1 1,8,2 l-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-5,17 (20) -pregnadiene.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of 1119,21 -Dihydroxy-12a-Methyl4,1 7(20) Pregnadien-3-One -A solution of 1 g. of 3-ethylendioxy-1lfl,2l-dihydroxy- 12a-methyl-5,17(20)-pregnadiene in 80 m1. of acetone was boiled briefly on the steam bath with 8 ml. of 1 N sulfuric acid. After neutralization 115,21-dihydroxy-l2a-methyl-4,17(20) -pregnadien-3-one was obtained.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation 115,21 -Dihydroxy-12a-Methyl-4,1 7 (20) Pregnadien-3-one-21 -A ce tate To the 11 5,2 1-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-4, 17 (20) -pregnadien-3-one was added pyridine and acetic anhydride and 11 8,21 dihydroxy 120a methyl 4,17(20)-pregnadien- 3-one 21-acetate was recovered.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of 1161 7a,21-Trihydroxy-12aMethyl-4- Pregnene-3,20-Dione 21 -A cetate 6.85 g. of the 1113,2l-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-4,17'(20)- pregnadien-S-one 21-acetate was dissolved in 200 ml. of t-butyl alcohol and reacted with 3 ml. of pyridine, 191 mg. of osmium tetroxide and 1.3 g. of hydrogen peroxide. After 4'days, the reaction mixture was stirred with 4.2 .g. of sodium sul-fite in 190 ml. of water. t-Butyl alcohol was removed in vacuo and the product extracted with methylene chloride. Chromatography over diatomaceous earth yielded pure 116,17a,2l-trihydroxy12a-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20'-dione 21-acetate max. 240 m EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of 1 7 a,21 -dihydroxy-1 Zoe-M ethyl-4,9 (1 1 Pregnadiene-3,20-Dione 21 -Acetate An 11.07 g. aliquot of 11,8,17a,2l-trihydroxy-12amethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate was dissolved in a mixture of 65 cc. of dimethylformamide and 11 cc. of pyridine in adry 2-1. three-necked flask, fitted with a stirrer and refiux condenser. 5.55 cc. of methane sulfonyl chloride was added at room temperature. The reaction mixture was held at 80-85" C. for one hour. The solution was chilled in an ice bath and treated successively with 110 cc. of methanol, 480 cc. of aqueous 12 sodium bicarbonate and finally with 360 cc. of Water while stirring in an ice bath. The product 17a,21-dihydroxy 12a. methyl-4,9(11)-prenadiene-3,20-dione 21- acetate was then removed by filtration without difliculty, washed repeatedly with water and dried to constant weight in a Moisture Teller at 50 C. (30 minutes).

EXAMPLE 16 Preparation of 9a-Bromo-11,8,17a,21-Trihydroxy-12a- M ethy l-4-Pregnene-3,2 O-Dione 21 -A cetate To a suspension of a 9.03 g. aliquot of the above 17a,- 21 dihydroxy-12a-methyl 4,9(11) pregnadiene 3,20- dione 21-acetate in 114 cc. of acetone was added at 0 C. with stirring 5.93 g. of N-bromosuccinimide (96% by titration) and then 20.4 cc. of a perchloric acid solution prepared by dissolving 0.548 cc. of 70% perchloric acid in 33 cc. of water. The mixture was stirred at 0 C. for 4% hours. The excess of N-bromosuccinimide was destroyed by the addition of allyl alcohol (40 drops) and 500cc. of Water was then added with stirring over a 3-5 minute interval. The mixture was held at 0 C. for an additional hour. The 9a-bromo-1lfl,17a,21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21 acetate Was removed by filtration, washed repeatedly with water and dried in a desiccator over sulfuric acid.

EXAMPLE 17 Preparation of 9B,] lfi-Epoxy-l 7a,.21 -Dihydroxy-12a- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-Dione 21-Acetate A 10.48 g. aliquot of 9a-bromo-1l5,17a,21-trihydroxy- 12a-methy1-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate was dissolved in 76.5 cc. of tetrahydrofuran (which had been briefly stored over potassium hydroxide) and 38 cc. of purified methanol. The mixture was treated with 25.8 cc. 0.91 N sodium methoxide in methanol in a nitrogen atmosphere at 24 C. for 5 minutes. The base was neutralized by the addition of an excess (1.58 cc.) of glacial acetic acid which resulted in a color change from red to dark yellow. The solvents were removed in vacuo at 45-48 C. bath-temperature. The residue was flushed with chloroform and then with a petroleum ether. The residue was suspended in 48 cc. of pyridine and 24 cc. of acetic anhydride and heated under nitrogen at 65 C. for 1% hours. After removal of the reagents in vacuo (bath temperature up to 70 C. oil pump) the solid residue was flushed with petroleum ether. About cc. of water was added and 913,11,8-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy- 12a-methy1-4pregnene 3,20-dione 21-acetate was filtered off and washed thoroughly with water. The crude product was dissolved in 88 cc. of acetone, was treated with 1 g. of activated carbon and filtered. The activated carbon was washed free of the 95,11B-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate. The clear filtrate was concentrated on a steam bath in a current of nitrogen and treated with petroleum ether. Filtration and washing with acetone-petroleum ether (1:10) gave the 9,8,1lfl-epoxy-17a,2l-dihydroxy-l2oc-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of 9a-Fluor0-11BJ7a-21-Trihydroxy-l2a- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-D ione 21 -Acetate To a solution of 6.96 g. of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in 13.24 g. of tetrahydrofuran and 5 ml. of chloroform chilled to about 60 C. was added a solution of 4.018 g. of 9,8,11,8-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-12a-methy1- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 25 ml. of chloroform likewise chilled at about 60 C. The hydrogen fluoride tetrahydrofuran reagent was immersed in an acetone- Dry Ice bath while the steroid was being added. An additional 5 ml. of chloroform was used to aid in the transfer of the epoxide. The reaction mixture was removed from the acetone-Dry Ice bath and subsequently maintained at 30 C. for four hours and then added at a suitable rate to a well agitated mixture of an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate, chloroform and ice. The weakly alkaline aqueous layer was separated and twice back-extracted with chloroform. The combined organic layers were washed with water. After removal of the solvent in vacuo, the residue was heated with ml. of pyridine and 3 ml. of acetic anhydride at 65 C. under nitrogen for 75 minutes to convert any by-product into a less polar diacyl derivative. The bulk of the solvents was removed in vacuo, and the residue was distributed between chloroform and dilute hydrochloric acid. The aqueous layer was back-extracted twice with chloroform. The combined organic layers were washed with dilute acid, with water, with a solution of bicarbonate and finally with water. The filtered solution was concentrated in vacuo to a small volume and purified by passage through a column of neutral alumina (16 g.). The eluates, amounting to 85 ml. of chloroform, were concentrated and the fluorohydrin was obtained by the addition of benzene. One recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether afforded 9a-fiuoro-11,8,17a,21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 19 Preparation of 9a-Flu0ro-11fi,17a,21-Trihydr0xy-12u- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3 ,20-D i one To a stirred solution of 100 mg. of 9a fiilOIO-11B,l7oc, 21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 5 ml. of methanol under nitrogen at 25 C. was added 1.00 ml. of 0.25 M methanolic sodium methoxide. After minutes 0.2 ml. of acetic acid in 1 ml. of water was added and the mixture concentrated nearly to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate gave 904- fluoro 11fi,17a,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl 4 pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE Preparation of 9a-Chl0ro-J1BJ 7a,21-Trihydr0xy-12a- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3,20-Dione 21-Acetate To a solution of 100 mg. of 95,11fl-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-l2a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate prepared as in Example 17 in 4 ml. of chloroform was added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The two phase mixture was stirred at C. for 1 hour. Addition of water and chloroform extraction gave a crude crystalline product which is partly deacetylated. Treatment with 1 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 25 C. for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo and crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether afforded pure 9a-chloro-11fl,17a,21-trihydroxy- 12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 21 Preparation of 9a-Chl0ro-l 1 {3,1 7a,21-Trihydr0xy-12-a- M ethyl-4-Pregnene-3 ,ZO-Dione A solution of 250' mg. of 9a-chloro-11[3,17a,21-trihydroxy-l2a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate in 5 m1. of 0.25 N perchloric acid in methanol was stirred for about 18 hours at room temperature to produce 9achloro 11B,17oc,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl 4 pregnane-3,20-dione which is recovered by adding water to the reaction mixture and allowing the product to crystallize.

EXAMPLE 22 Preparation of 1 15,17a,21-Trihydroxy-12a-Methyl- 1 ,4-Pregnadiene-3,20-Dione 21 -A cetate To 100 mg. of 11B,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l2a-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as in Example 14) in 5 ml. of t-butanol and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid was added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture was re- 14 fluxed under nitrogen 18 hours, 50 mg. of selenium dioxide was added and the mixture refluxed for an additional 24 hours. The mixture was filtered and the liltrate taken to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfide, dilute ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. It was then treated with activated charcoal and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether gave pure 11fl,17a,21-trihydroxy 12a methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20 dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 23 Preparation of 1 15,17a,21-Trihydr0xy-12a-Methyl- 1 ,4-Pregnadiene-3,2 O-Di one 1 1t3,17a,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl 1,4 preg-i nadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate can be reacted with methanolic sodium methoxide to produce the alcohol, namely l1fl,17oc,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione. This procedure is described in Example 19.

EXAMPLE 24 Preparation of 9oc-Fllt0r0-1 118,1 7a,21-Trihydr0xy-12a- M ethy l-1 ,4-Pregnadien e-3,20-Di0ne 21 -A cetate In a similar manner, mg. of 9otfl11OI'O-l1f3,l7cc,2l trihydroxy 12a methyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 18) was treated with selenium dioxide to produce the corresponding 9a. fluoro 11(5',17a,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 25 Preparation of a 9a-Flu0ro-1 1,8,1 7a,21-Trihydr0xy-12a- M ethyl-1 ,4 -Pregnadiene-3,20-D ione The 21-alcohol was prepared from the 21-acet-ate. To a stirred solution of 100 mg. of 9a-fluoro-11B,17a,21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21 acetate in 5 ml. of methanol under nitrogen at 25 C. was added 1.00 ml. of 0.26 M methanolic sodium methoxide. After 15 minutes 0.2 ml. of acetic acid in 1 ml. of water was added and the mixture concentrated nearly to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate gave 9a-fluoro-115, 17a,21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 26 Preparation of 9a-Chl0r0-1 1 ,B,] 7a-21-Trihydr0xy-12a- M ethyl-1 ,4-Pregnadiene-3 ,2 O-Dione 21-Acetate To a solution of 100 mg. of 95,11fi-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 17) in 4 ml. of chloroform was added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The two-phase mixture Was stirred at 25 C. for 1 hour. Addition of water and chloroform extraction gave a crude crystalline product which is partly deacetylated. Treatment with 1 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 25 C. for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo and crystallization of the residue from acetoneether afforded 9a-chloro-11B,17a,21-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 27 Preparation of 9a-Chl0r0-1 1,8,1 711,21 -Trihydr0xy-12oc- M ethyl-1 ,4-Pregnadiene-3,20-D ione The 21-a1cohol can be prepared from the 9a-chloro- 115,17 0:,21 trihydroxy 12a methyl 1,4 pregnadiene- 3,20-dione 21-acetate as in Example 21.

15 EXAMPLE 28 Preparation f 1 7a,21 -D z'hydroxy-l 2a-Melhyl-4-Pregnene- 3,11,20-Tri0ne 21 -Acetate 1 gram of chromium trioxide was added in portions of ml. of dry pyridine in the cold. To the mixture was added 1 g. of 11B,17a,2l-trihydroxy-12a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 14) in 2 ml. of pyridine. The mixture stood at 20 C. for about 16 hours and was then distributed between ether and water. The organic layer was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, with water and sodium bicarbonate and finally with saturated salt solution. Removal of the solvent afforded after crystallization the desired 17a,2 1-dihydroxy-12ot-methyl-4-pregnene-3,1 1,20- trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 29 Preparation of 17a,21-Dihydroxy-l2ot-Methyl-4-Pregnene- 3,11,20-Trione 17a,21 dihydroxy 12cc methyl 4 pregnene 3,11, 20-trione 2l-acetate can be converted to the 21-alcohol by the procedure described in Example 19.

EXAMPLE 30 Preparation 0 f 9a-Flu0r01 7a,21-Dihydr0xy-12a-Methyl- 4-Pregnene-3,1 1,20-Trione 21-Acetate 1.25 grams of chromium trioxide was added in portions to 12.5 ml. of dry pyridine in the cold. To the mixture was added 1.25 g. of 9tx-fluoro-11,17a,21-trihydroxy-12omethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 18) in 2.5 ml. of pyridine. The mixture stood at 20 C. for about 16 hours and was then distributed between ether and water. The organic layer was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, with water, with sodium bicarbonate and finally with saturated salt solution. Removal of the solvent afforded after crystallization the desired 9m-fluoro-17a,21-dihydroxy-12u-methyl- 4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 3 1 Preparation of 170;,21-Dihydr0xy-12a-Methyl-L4- Pregnadiene-3,11,20-Tri0ne 21-Acetate 2 grams of chromium trioxide was added in portions of 10 ml. of dry pyridine in the cold. To the mixture was added 1 g. of 11 8,17a,21-trihydroXy-12a-methyl-1,4- pregnadiene 3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 22) in 4 ml. of pyridine. The mixture stood at 20 C. for about 16 hours and was then distributed between ether and water. The organic layer was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, with water and sodium bicarbonate and finally with saturated salt solution. Removal of the solvent afforded after crystallization the desired 17a,21-dihydroxy-IZa-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11, 20-trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 32 Preparation of 9oc-Flu0r0-1 70,21-Dihydr0ocy ]2ez-Methyll,4-Pregnadiene-3,11 ,ZO-Trione 21 -acetate 1.00 gram of chromium trioxide was added in portions to 12.5 ml. of dry pyridine in the cold. To the mixture was added 1 gram of 9a-fll101'O-l1,17a,21-trihydr0Xy-12ocmethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 24) in 2 ml. of pyridine. The mixture stood at 20 C. for about 16 hours and was then distributed between ether and water. The organic layer was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, with water, with 16 sodium bicarbonate and finally with saturated salt solution. Removal of the solvent afforded after crystallization the desired 9oz-fiuoro-17 z,21-dihydroxy-12a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 3 3 Preparation of 9oc-Chlor0-17a,21Dihydr0xy-12a-Methyl- J,4-Pregnadiene-3,11,ZO-Trione 21-Acetaze 2.00 grams of chromium trioxide was added in portions to 25 ml. of dry pyridine in the cold. To the mixture was added 1 gram of 9a-chloro-11,17a,21-trihydroxy-12amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 20 in 2 ml. of pyridine. The mixture stood at 20 C. for about 16 hours and was then distributed between ether and water. The organic layer was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, with water, with sodium bicarbonate and finally with saturated salt solution. Removal of the solvent afforded after crystallization the desired 9a-chloro-17u,21-dihydroxy-IZa-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 34 Preparation of Qua-Ch 101'0-1 711,2] -Dihyaroxy-Z2 a-Methy l- 1 ,4 -Pregnad iene-3 ,1 1,20-Tri0ne The c,2I-dihYdIOXY-lZoc-HlfithYl 4 pregnene-3,20- dione ZI-acetate can be converted to the 21-alcohol by the procedure described in Example 21.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of which are herein disclosed, without departing from the scope thereof; to the extent that these changes and modifications are within the scope of the appended claims, they are to be considered a part of this invention.

We claim:

1. The process which comprises reacting 11p,12,8-epoxy- 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-pregnane with an alkylating agent selected from the group consisting of dialkyl magnesium and alkyl magnesium halide to form 12a-alkyl- 3,20-bis- [ethylenedioxy] -1 1 fl-hydroxypregnane.

2. The process which comprises reacting 1113,12fi-epoxy- 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxyJ-pregnane with dimethyl magnesium to form 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy] 11B -hydroxy- 12a-methylpregnane.

3. The process which comprises reacting 115,12fl-epoxy- 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-pregnane with methyl magnesium halide to form 3,20-bis-[ethylenedioxy]-1lfi-hydroxy-12a-methylpregnane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,708,672 Magerlein et a1. May 17, 1955 2,732,383 Bernstein et al Jan. 24, 1956 2,752,366 Hogg June 26, 1956 2,773,060 Levin Dec. 4, 1956 2,790,814 Hogg et al Apr. 30, 1957 2,837,464 Nobile June 3, 1958 2,837,541 Hirschmann et al. June 3, 1958 2,842,569 Hanze July 8, 1958 2,848,464 Fried Aug. 19, 1958 2,878,269 'Schoenewaldt Mar. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 737,957 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1955 743,487 Great Britain Ian. 18, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES J.A.C.S., Fried, vol. 76, page 1456. J.A.C.S., vol. 77 (1955), Bloom et al., pages 5567-8. 

1. THE PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES REACTING 11B, 12B-EPOXY3,20-BIS-(ETHYLENEDIOXY)-PREGNANE WITH AN ALKYLATING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF DIALKYL MAGNESIUM AND ALKYL MAGNESIUM HALIDE TO FORM 12A-ALKYL3,20-BIS-(ETHYLENEDIOXY)-11B-HYDROXYPREGANE. 